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Are we facing a Summer of Discontent because of the London Olympics 2012?

There has been some discussion in the media regarding the increase in homelessness and rough sleeping in Brighton and Hove. On BBC Sussex today (Wednesday 27th July) it was reported that Sussex Police have said that the number of rough sleepers has increased from 42 to 72 over the last year, although the City Council’s estimate is that the figure is 42.

Meanwhile, the Brighton Argus has reported that “homeless people are heading to Brighton and Hove to escape a purge of London’s streets ahead of the Olympics. Charities have reported ‘harassment’ of rough sleepers in the capital as London mayor Boris Johnson looks to eradicate homelessness before the 2012 Games.”

I don’t know if that is actually happening, although I would be surprised if such an initiative had started this far out from the start of the Olympics which commence a year today.

I do know that homeless people were ‘removed’ from the streets in Atlanta and Sydney before previous Olympic Games, and I was in Cape Town last year just before the start of the Football World Cup and there was very definitely measures being taken to ensure that homeless people, particularly street children, were not in evidence.

The Olympics may see an increase in homeless people arriving in Brighton from London. But as likely, perhaps more likely, will be the combination of a number of factors (as well as traditional reasons for high demand such as people wanting to move to Brighton, students staying on after graduation, changing demographics and household sizes, etc.) that will see a significant increase in homelessness in Brighton and Hove. They include:

Changes to the Local Housing Allowance

Restrictions being placed on housing benefit eligibility for single people under the age of 35

Inability of first time buyers to get a mortgage

Anticipated increase in unemployment

Changes to Legal Aid (that will exclude people from getting advice they need on welfare benefits, debt and many housing cases).

I have previously described this as the creation of a ‘Perfect Storm’. Most of these factors will come into effect in the next 12 months, and if the predictions relating to the Olympics come about, next summer will see a potentially explosive situation in Brighton.

I have confidence in the willingness and ability of Brighton and Hove City Council to try to mitigate this situation. We have been fortunate that both current and former administrations, indeed all parties, on the City Council have had a high commitment to addressing the challenges of housing and homelessness. I also think that there is better co-operation between all agencies than ever before. But in spite of this, the ‘Perfect Storm’ is being created outside of Brighton and Hove, and there is only so much that we collectively can do.

What is needed is a rethink by government of the impact of those measures for which they are responsible, and by the Mayor of London regarding fall-out from the London Games. Otherwise, we will see a Summer of Discontent next year.

Hello, I’ve just found out I’m being made homeless in January because while everyone in the country is having 9 months grace for their housing benefit reduction, Brighton and Hove piloted Local Housing Allowance early and basically people like me, under thirty five, don’t get it, and to be quite honest I have no resources, family or financial, or psychological, to go through this – I’m buying a tend, and have to move out in January. Just googling to see if its a known problem! Thanks for the post – I was furious abot many stories like this before I knew I was one of them. Now I feel some kinship. Aaron

the government could not care less about the homeless or making people homeless as long as it not in their back yards.

This country is going down the pan. i cant even go to work in my van (self employed builder) in london now because they say my perfectly good van is putting too much emissions into the ozone layer… but if i pay them 100 pounds a day to drive it then they don’t mind.. thieves. i had 7 months work ahead of me there..now im on the dole as i have no work and canot afford a new van